Key Takeaways
- • DLA Piper appointed Cillian Moynihan as a partner in its global Private Equity group, effective immediately, based in the London office, strengthening the firm's cross-border transaction and investment advisory capabilities.
- • Moynihan brings over a decade of combined private practice and in-house investment experience, having advised leading private equity, venture capital, credit, and sovereign wealth funds on domestic and international M&A transactions, private deals, and public takeovers.
- • His recent role as a senior in-house investment professional at a global investment fund included advising on M&A activity, growth-stage investments, and establishing and closing a new growth fund vehicle, providing investor-side perspective alongside legal expertise.
- • Ed Griffiths, Global co-lead of DLA Piper's Private Equity Group, highlighted Moynihan's rare combination of "elite technical excellence and first-hand investor-side judgment," positioning him to serve clients navigating complex cross-border opportunities from both the legal and commercial strategy perspective.
- • The hire represents continued expansion of DLA Piper's global Private Equity practice, part of the firm's broader strategy to enhance strategic advisory capabilities and client service delivery in private equity transactions.
Summary
DLA Piper, a global law firm, has strengthened its Private Equity practice by appointing Cillian Moynihan as a partner in its London office. Moynihan brings more than a decade of professional experience spanning both private practice and in-house investment roles, positioning him to advise clients on complex cross-border transactions and investment strategies.
Throughout his career, Moynihan has developed expertise advising a diverse range of institutional investors, including private equity firms, venture capital funds, credit investors, and sovereign wealth funds. His transaction experience encompasses both domestic and international M&A activity, private acquisitions, and public takeover bids. Most recently, he held a senior in-house position at a global investment fund, where his responsibilities included M&A advisory, growth-stage investment decisions, and strategic legal counsel. Notably, his recent role involved the establishment and first close of a new growth fund vehicle, demonstrating hands-on experience in fund structuring and deployment.
Ed Griffiths, Global co-lead of DLA Piper's Private Equity Group, emphasized the strategic value of Moynihan's dual perspective, stating that his combination of "elite technical excellence and first-hand investor-side judgment" addresses a critical market need. According to Griffiths, Moynihan's experience as both a highly technical M&A lawyer and senior investment professional enables him to understand deal dynamics from multiple angles—a capability increasingly valuable as clients tackle complex cross-border opportunities. His investor-side background provides insight into the commercial priorities, challenges, and strategic considerations that institutional investors navigate throughout the investment lifecycle.
The appointment underscores DLA Piper's ongoing investment in expanding its global Private Equity capabilities. The firm positions this hire as part of its broader strategy to deliver comprehensive strategic advice and seamless service to private equity and alternative investment clients navigating an increasingly complex transactional landscape.
Throughout his career, Moynihan has developed expertise advising a diverse range of institutional investors, including private equity firms, venture capital funds, credit investors, and sovereign wealth funds. His transaction experience encompasses both domestic and international M&A activity, private acquisitions, and public takeover bids. Most recently, he held a senior in-house position at a global investment fund, where his responsibilities included M&A advisory, growth-stage investment decisions, and strategic legal counsel. Notably, his recent role involved the establishment and first close of a new growth fund vehicle, demonstrating hands-on experience in fund structuring and deployment.
Ed Griffiths, Global co-lead of DLA Piper's Private Equity Group, emphasized the strategic value of Moynihan's dual perspective, stating that his combination of "elite technical excellence and first-hand investor-side judgment" addresses a critical market need. According to Griffiths, Moynihan's experience as both a highly technical M&A lawyer and senior investment professional enables him to understand deal dynamics from multiple angles—a capability increasingly valuable as clients tackle complex cross-border opportunities. His investor-side background provides insight into the commercial priorities, challenges, and strategic considerations that institutional investors navigate throughout the investment lifecycle.
The appointment underscores DLA Piper's ongoing investment in expanding its global Private Equity capabilities. The firm positions this hire as part of its broader strategy to deliver comprehensive strategic advice and seamless service to private equity and alternative investment clients navigating an increasingly complex transactional landscape.
Go deeper than the headline
Research every firm in this story, track the ones that matter and get the daily briefing — free for 7 days.